Swimming: Ames looks to repeat, again

Ames swimmer Sophie Sorenson, and the rest of the Little Cyclones, won a second-straight state title last season.

Sorenson also won her second-straight title in the 100-yard backstroke, tying her own state record.

Of course, the Little Cyclones celebrated winning their sixth title in seven years as they always do, with a leap into the pool and a post-meet party, but the Little Cyclones thought they could have done more at last season’s state meet.

Yes, the Little Cyclones won by 144 points, their second-largest margin of victory in their recent run of dominance (six state titles in seven years), but the coaching staff noticed little things only coaches can, areas in which the Little Cyclones could improve.

Ames coach Dan Flannery pointed to Sorenson as an example. He said he joked with Sorenson, who will swim collegiately at Kentucky, she went all the way to Marshalltown just to tie her state record.

The now-seniors met with Flannery to talk changing things and find ways to make another run, which they hope leads to another title, that much more satisfying.

The Little Cyclones have resolved to work harder in the weight room and in the pool as a start.

“Workouts have been a lot harder this year,” Sorenson said. “Obiviously, we did fantastic this year. We came out on top, but we always want to get better. Like he said, I tied my best time, but it’s like, ‘Well, what can I do differently to go just a little bit faster?’

“I think we’re all willing to work a little bit harder.”

Flannery said he’s already seen his team work harder in the pool this season.

Through four of weeks of training, and with their first meet of the season tonight against Marshalltown, the Little Cyclones have blown away Flannery’s expectations.

“We had a really hard workout out one day where when it was over, I told the girls, ‘That was a week six workout last year,’” Flannery said. “Let’s do harder intervals than we’ve ever done before, let’s do more yards than we’ve ever done before.”

And the Little Cyclones have.

That attitude harkens back to the meeting Flannery had with his seniors, wherein both parties agreed to make changes, putting the onerous on each other to get better.

The Little Cyclones lost several key seniors from last season’s team, but Flannery said this may be the best season to make some changes.

“I realized that this was the best time to have a group coming off a state championship year, to change things, because I have 10 to 12 freshmen in my lineup,” Flannery said. “They don’t know any better. They grew up in the stands, sixth, seventh, eighth grade, watching us win. They’re excited, and I love the enthusiasm.”

He added the Little Cyclones may have tougher competition this season, with West Des Moines Valley, Dowling Catholic, Waukee and several other CIML and eastern Iowa teams slated to be more competitive.

Flannery doesn’t know exactly what he’s looking for out of his team this season — he did not set specific time goals — and did not want to discredit what his previous teams have done.

But the Little Cyclones are focused on putting in the work in practice and know the payoffs will come.